Compositions and methods for treating skin conditions using visible light and resorcinols

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for treating acne and other skin conditions influenced by C. acnes, which combine administration of low levels of at least one substituted resorcinol and blue light to skin in need of treatment for such conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A variety of treatments are commercially available for treating acne and other skin conditions, including compositions and devices.

For example, substituted resorcinols such as hexylresorcinol are known to provide benefits to the skin when applied topically. NEUTROGENA's Triple Age Repair Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 25, commercially available from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., contains hexylresorcinol and is marketed for anti-aging benefits.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,318,217 relates to compositions comprising a blend of an NFkB inhibitor, which may be a substituted resorcinol such as 4-hexylresorcinol, and an anti-inflammatory compound having a low IC50. The patent discloses that substituted resorcinols may be used in the composition in a safe and effective amount, such as from about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 2%, even more preferably about 1%, by weight of the composition. The use of resorcinols is also disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,959,393 and 6,863,897 and US Published Patent Application No. 2008/0305059.

Light therapy is also known to be effective for treating skin conditions. In particular, it is known that blue light having a wavelength of about 400 nm to about 460 nm has an antimicrobial effect. The mechanism of antimicrobial action of blue light is thought to occur through excitation of microbial porphyrins, leading to the accumulation of intrabacterial reactive oxygen species and subsequent cell death.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,328 discloses improved phototherapy systems comprising a therapeutic lamp platform for radiant lamps such as LED's disposed in a convenient device that may be in the form of a facial mask. The system emits different wavelengths of radiant energy, for example at least two of blue, red, or infrared.

The NEUTROGENA Light Therapy Acne Mask, commercially available from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., emits blue light to penetrate just beneath the skin's surface to kill acne-causing bacteria, and red light that penetrates deeper into the skin to reduce inflammation.

However, improved skin treatments, for example acne treatments, are still needed. In particular, it would be desirable to enhance the antimicrobial activity of blue light via topical means, i.e., combining light treatment with topical agents that can potentiate the effect of light therapy. Applicants have now found that under certain conditions, low levels of substituted resorcinols boost the antimicrobial activity of blue light. Unexpectedly superior antimicrobial, in particular anti-Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes; formerly Propionibacterium acnes), benefits are therefore achieved by administering a combination of one or more substituted resorcinols and blue light to skin in need of treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of treating skin, comprising topically applying to skin having a condition influenced by C. acnes a topical composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of at least one substituted resorcinol and exposing said skin to blue light having peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm using a light delivery device.

The present invention also provides a kit comprising: (a) a topical composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of at least one substituted resorcinol, and (b) a light delivery device that delivers blue light having a peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm.

The present invention further provides a method of killing C. acnes, which comprises contacting C. acnes with a composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of at least one substituted resorcinol and exposing said C. acnes to blue light having peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm using a light delivery device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.

As used herein, “topically applying” means directly laying on or spreading on outer skin or the scalp, e.g., by use of the hands or an applicator such as a wipe, roller, or spray.

As used herein, “cosmetic” refers to a beautifying substance or preparation which preserves, restores, bestows, simulates, or enhances the appearance of bodily beauty or appears to enhance the beauty or youthfulness, specifically as it relates to the appearance of tissue or skin.

As used herein, “cosmetically effective amount” means an amount of a physiologically active compound or composition sufficient for treating one or more conditions, but low enough to avoid serious side effects. The cosmetically effective amount of the compound or composition will vary with the particular condition being treated, the age and physical condition of the end user, the severity of the condition being treated/prevented, the duration of the treatment, the nature of other treatments, the specific compound or product/composition employed, the particular cosmetically-acceptable carrier utilized, and like factors.

As used herein, “cosmetically acceptable” means that the ingredients the term describes are suitable for use in contact with tissues (e.g., the skin) without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic response, or the like.

As used herein, a “cosmetically acceptable active agent” is a compound (synthetic or natural) that has a cosmetic or therapeutic effect on the skin.

As used herein, “treatment or treating” refers to mitigating, reducing, preventing, improving, or eliminating the presence or signs of a condition or disorder.

The invention is suitable for treating skin conditions influenced by C. acnes. As used herein, skin conditions influenced by C. acnes means skin conditions to which C. acnes directly or indirectly contributes.

For example, the invention is suitable for treating acne. As used herein, “acne” refers to disorders resulting from the actions of hormones and other substances on the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, typically leading to clogged pores and the formation of inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions on the skin. Specifically, it relates to blemishes, lesions, or pimples, pre-emergent pimples, blackheads, and/or whiteheads. As used herein, a “pre-emergent pimple” is an inflamed follicle that is not visually apparent on the surface of the skin with the naked eye (e.g., as a lesion).

The invention is also suitable for treating rosacea. As used herein, “rosacea” means skin with persistent erythema with or without papules, pustules, or nodules.

The invention is also suitable for treating seborrheic dermatitis. As used herein, seborrheic dermatitis means scaly, flaky, itchy, or red skin affecting the scalp, face, and torso, for instance dandruff on the scalp.

The invention is suitable for treating red patches, spots, papules, pustules, nodules, microcysts and cysts influenced by C. acnes.

Unless otherwise indicated, a percentage or concentration refers to a percentage or concentration by weight (i.e., % (W/W). Unless stated otherwise, all ranges are inclusive of the endpoints, e.g., “from 4 to 9” includes the endpoints 4 and 9.

Topical Composition Comprising a Substituted Resorcinol

The invention utilizes a topical composition comprising at least one substituted resorcinol. The composition may comprise one or more than one substituted resorcinol.

Surprisingly, the topical composition contains a very low amount of substituted resorcinol.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises less than about 0.025 weight percent of the substituted resorcinol. In another embodiment, the composition comprises about 0.002 to about 0.025 weight percent of the substituted resorcinol.

Such low levels of substituted resorcinol provide limited or no antimicrobial activity when used alone. However, according to the present invention, topical administration of the substituted resorcinol at these reduced levels in conjunction with exposure to blue light surprisingly provides excellent antimicrobial activity.

Resorcinol is a dihydroxy phenol compound (i.e., 1,3-dihydroxybenzene), having the following structure:

The resorcinols used herein are “substituted resorcinols.” As used herein, “substituted resorcinol” means resorcinol comprising at least one substituent in the 2, 4, 5, or 6 position. Thus, the resorcinol may have as few as one and as many as four substituents. Positions 1 and 3 of the resorcinol preferably comprise an —OH group as shown above; however, one or both —OH groups may be replaced by an —OR group in which R is a C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or acyl group.

In certain preferred embodiments, at least one substituent on the resorcinol comprises 2 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 5 to 10 carbon atoms, even more preferably 5 to 9 carbon atoms, most preferably 5 to 8 carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, at least one substituent comprises a (linear or branched) alkyl group, such as one having the number of carbon atoms described above. Preferably, at least one substituent comprises an alkyl group that is unsaturated and linear.

In certain embodiments, the 4 position of the resorcinol is substituted, and, in certain embodiments, only the 4 position is substituted. In another embodiment, the 4 position is substituted with an akyl group. In certain preferred embodiments, the resorcinol comprises a single substituent at the 4 position that comprises an alkyl group. In certain other preferred embodiments, the resorcinol comprises a single substituent at the 4 position that consists of an alkyl group directly bonded to the benzene ring.

Particularly suitable substituted resorcinols include 4-hexyl resorcinol and 4-octylresorcinol, particularly 4-hexyl resorcinol. The structures of 4-hexylresorcinol and 4-octylresorcinol are shown below:

4-Hexyl resorcinol is commercially available as “SYNOVEA HR” from Sytheon of Lincoln Park, N.J. It is also commercially available from Alfa Aesar, Tewksbury, Mass. 4-Octylresorcinol is commercially available from City Chemical LLC of West Haven, Conn.

The composition may optionally comprise a wide variety of additional oil-soluble materials and/or water-soluble materials conventionally used in compositions for use on skin, at their art-established levels. For example, surfactants, pearlescent or opacifying agents, thickeners, emollients, conditioners, humectants, chelating agents, exfoliants, and additives that enhance the appearance, feel, or fragrance of the cleansing composition, such as colorants, fragrances, preservatives, pH adjusting agents, and the like, can be included.

The composition may comprise one or more other cosmetically acceptable active agents include for example anti-acne agents, shine control agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-mycotic agents, anti-parasite agents, external analgesics, sunscreens, photoprotectors, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, surfactants, moisturizers, nutrients, vitamins, energy enhancers, anti-perspiration agents, astringents, deodorants, firming agents, anti-callous agents, and agents for skin conditioning.

The amount of other cosmetically active agent in may range from about 0.001% to about 20% by weight of the composition, e.g., about 0.005% to about 10% by weight of the composition, such as about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

The cosmetically acceptable active agent may be selected for instance from salicylic acid, succinic acid, benzoyl peroxide, D-panthenol carotenoids, ceramides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes such as laccase, enzyme inhibitors, minerals, hormones such as estrogens, steroids such as hydrocortisone, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, copper salts such as copper chloride, peptides like argireline, syn-ake and those containing copper, coenzyme Q10, amino acids such as proline, vitamins, lactobionic acid, acetyl-coenzyme A, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, ribose, electron transporters such as NADH and FADH2, natural extracts such as from aloe vera, feverfew, oatmeal, dill, blackberry, princess tree, Picia anomala, and chicory, curcuminoids, sugar amines such as N-acetyl glucosamines, and derivatives and mixtures thereof.

Examples of vitamins include, but are not limited to, vitamin A, vitamin B's such as vitamin B3, vitamin B5, and vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin K, and different forms of vitamin E like alpha, beta, gamma or delta tocopherols or their mixtures, and derivatives thereof.

Examples of antioxidants include, but are not limited to, water-soluble antioxidants such as sulfhydryl compounds and their derivatives (e.g., sodium metabisulfite and N-acetyl-cysteine), lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid, resveratrol, lactoferrin, and ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives (e.g., ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbyl polypeptide). Oil-soluble antioxidants suitable for use in the compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxytoluene, retinoids (e.g., retinol and retinyl palmitate), tocopherols (e.g., tocopherol acetate), tocotrienols, and ubiquinone. Natural extracts containing antioxidants suitable for use in the compositions of this invention, include, but not limited to, extracts containing flavonoids and isoflavonoids and their derivatives (e.g., genistein and diadzein), extracts containing resveratrol and the like. Examples of such natural extracts include grape seed, green tea, pine bark, and propolis.

The composition may further include a cosmetically acceptable topical carrier. The carrier may be from about 50% to about 99.99%, by weight, of the composition (e.g., from about 80% to about 99%, by weight, of the composition). In one embodiment of the invention, the cosmetically acceptable topical carrier includes water.

The composition may be made into a wide variety of product types that include but are not limited to lotions, creams, gels, sticks, sprays, ointments, pastes, foams, powders, mousses, creams, wipes, patches, hydrogels, film-forming products, facial masks and skin masks, dissolving or non-dissolving films, and make-up such as foundations. These product types may contain a variety of cosmetically acceptable topical carriers including, but not limited to solutions, suspensions, emulsions such as microemulsions and nanoemulsions, gels, solids, films and liposomes. The following are non-limiting examples of such carriers. Other carriers can be formulated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The composition can be formulated as a solution. Solutions typically include an aqueous or organic solvent (e.g., from about 50% to about 99.99% or from about 90% to about 99% of a cosmetically acceptable aqueous or organic solvent). Examples of suitable organic solvents include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, sorbitol esters, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may be formulated as a solution comprising an emollient. Such compositions preferably contain from about 2% to about 50% of an emollient(s). As used herein, “emollients” refer to materials used for the prevention or relief of dryness, such as by preventing the transepidermal loss of water from the skin. Examples of emollients include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, eds. Pepe, Wenninger and McEwen, pp. 2930-36 (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Assoc., Washington, D.C., 9th Edition, 2002) (hereinafter “ICI Handbook”). Examples of particularly suitable emollients include vegetable oils, mineral oils, fatty esters, and the like.

A lotion can be made from such a solution. Lotions typically contain from about 1% to about 20% (e.g., from about 5% to about 10%) of an emollient(s) and from about 50% to about 90% (e.g., from about 60% to about 80%) of water.

Another type of product that may be formulated from a solution is a cream. A cream typically contains from about 5% to about 50% (e.g., from about 10% to about 20%) of an emollient(s) and from about 45% to about 85% (e.g., from about 50% to about 75%) of water.

The composition alternatively be anhydrous or be an ointment that includes no water but organic and/or silicone solvents, oils, lipids and waxes. An ointment may contain a simple base of animal or vegetable oils or semi-solid hydrocarbons. An ointment may contain from about 2% to about 10% of an emollient(s) plus from about 0.1% to about 2% of a thickening agent(s). Examples of thickening agents include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the ICI Handbook pp. 2979-84.

The composition may be formulated as an emulsion. If the topical carrier is an emulsion, from about 1% to about 10% (e.g., from about 2% to about 5%) of the topical carrier contains an emulsifier(s). Emulsifiers may be nonionic, anionic or cationic. Examples of emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the ICI Handbook, pp. 2962-71.

Lotions and creams can be formulated as emulsions. Typically, such lotions contain from 0.5% to about 5% of an emulsifier(s). Such creams typically contain from about 1% to about 20% (e.g., from about 5% to about 10%) of an emollient(s); from about 20% to about 80% (e.g., from 30% to about 70%) of water; and from about 1% to about 10% (e.g., from about 2% to about 5%) of an emulsifier(s).

Single emulsion skin care preparations, such as lotions and creams, of the oil-in-water type and water-in-oil type are well-known in the cosmetic art and are useful in the subject invention. Multiphase emulsion compositions, such as the water-in-oil-in-water type or the oil-in-water-in-oil type, are also useful in the subject invention. In general, such single or multiphase emulsions contain water, emollients, and emulsifiers as essential ingredients.

The composition can also be formulated as a gel (e.g., an aqueous, alcohol, alcohol/water, or oil gel using a suitable gelling agent(s)). Suitable gelling agents for aqueous and/or alcoholic gels include, but are not limited to, natural gums, acrylic acid and acrylate polymers and copolymers, and cellulose derivatives (e.g., hydroxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose). Suitable gelling agents for oils (such as mineral oil) include, but are not limited to, hydrogenated butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer and hydrogenated ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer. Such gels typically contain about 0.1% and 5%, by weight, of such gelling agents.

The composition can also be formulated into a solid (e.g., wax-based stick, bar, or powder).

The composition may be contained in a substrate, such as a film, woven or non-woven material, wipe, patch, mask, article of clothing and the like.

In one embodiment, the composition is contained in a film. As used herein, the term “film” means a composition that forms a thin layer or membrane on mammalian, and more particularly human skin. Such film may comprise a single layer or multiple layers.

In one embodiment the film is a dissolvable film. A variety of dissolvable films are known in the art, and any one of these may be used according to the invention.

In one particular embodiment, the film may comprise an integral film product as described in US 2015/0182991, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The integral film product is arranged and configured to be removable from the manufacturing substrate it is made on, for use independent of the manufacturing substrate. In particular, the product may be made by placing a mask over a manufacturing substrate having a releasable surface, delivering a film-forming composition through the mask to form a raw shape on the manufacturing substrate; removing the mask; and solidifying the raw shape into the integral film product disposed on the manufacturing substrate. The mask has at least one aperture having a shape corresponding to the desired integral film product. The integral film product is arranged and configured to be removable from the releasable surface of the manufacturing substrate for use independent thereof.

In another embodiment, the film is a multilayered shaped film product as described in US 2015/0182990, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, a two-layer shaped film product comprising a first surface comprising the topical composition to be delivered to skin, and a second surface exposed to the exterior, may be used. Such an article of manufacture may be made using a process that comprises delivering liquid film-forming compositions through a mask; removing the mask to leave a multilayered raw shape; and curing the multilayered raw shape to form the multilayered shaped film product. The mask has a delivery surface, an opposite surface and at least one aperture having a design corresponding to the desired shaped film product. The film-forming compositions are delivered through a multistream nozzle. The movement of the mask and the delivery of the first and second liquid film-forming compositions to the mask aperture are controlled to provide a volumetric flow rate of the first and second liquid film-forming compositions to the mask aperture corresponding to the volume of a void. The nozzle is in contact with the delivery surface of the mask.

In another particular embodiment, the film may be multilayered film product as described in US 2015/0182992, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, a two-layer shaped film product in which a first layer has a larger surface area than a second layer disposed on the first layer may be used. This forms an “island” of the second layer on top of the first layer. One of the two layers is for contacting the skin and comprises the composition of the invention. The other layer is exposed to the exterior. Such an article of manufacture may be made by a process that comprises delivering a first film-forming composition through a first mask to form a first raw shape; removing the first mask; placing a second mask over the first raw shape; delivering a second film-forming composition through the second mask to form a second raw shape on the first raw shape; removing the second mask; and solidifying the first and second raw shapes to provide a shaped film product.

In a further embodiment, a shaped film product as described in US 2015/0182993, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, may contain the composition. Such shaped film product may be made by placing a mask over a manufacturing substrate; delivering a film-forming composition through a nozzle to form a raw shape on the manufacturing substrate; removing the mask; and solidifying the film-forming composition to provide the shaped film product disposed on the manufacturing substrate. The mask has a delivery surface and an opposite manufacturing substrate-facing surface and at least one aperture having a design corresponding to the desired shaped film product. The nozzle is disposed in sealing engagement with the delivery surface of the mask to the at least one aperture of the mask during delivery of the film-forming composition.

In yet another embodiment, a multilayer topically applied film as described in US 2016/0367490, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used. This film is readily removable upon application of water thereto. As used herein, “readily removable” means the film may dissolve or disintegrate upon application of water to the film, such that it may be removed from the skin without scrubbing or the like.

Such a film comprises a first top layer having a first top surface for facing outwardly from the skin and a first bottom surface opposite the first top surface for facing towards the skin. The article also comprises a bottom skin-contacting layer comprising a second top surface facing and adhered to the first bottom surface of the first top layer and a second bottom surface that is outwardly-facing for contacting and adherence of the article to the skin when the article is applied thereto. The bottom skin-contacting layer comprises the topical composition. In addition, each of the first top layer and second bottom layer comprises a water-soluble film former and the article is readily removable from the skin upon application of water thereto.

This film containing the topical composition may be formed by one of the above-described processes of forming multilayer shaped film products. It may also be made by casting and drying an adhesive layer, and then casting the top layer on top of the bottom layer. The two layers may adhere to one another by any of the known methods of adhesion (mechanical, chemical, dispersive, electrostatic, diffusive, etc.). In one embodiment, the two layers preferably are both water soluble, so that the water in the non-adhesive outwardly-facing layer will slightly dissolve the already dried adhesive skin-contacting layer, thereby creating a certain amount of diffusive adhesion at the interface of the two layers. In a second embodiment, both layers are cast wet on wet, and intermixing of the materials occurs at their interface, thereby creating a bond by diffusive adhesion. Preferably, the materials have a common solvent and/or are miscible with each other so that they intermix and bond together. It will be appreciated that the materials of the adhesive and non-adhesive layers (the skin-contacting and outwardly-facing layers, respectively) may have a common solvent other than water, such as alcohol, so that the materials bond to each other.

For example, the skin-contacting layer preferably comprises a hydrophilic film-forming polymer, a solubilizing agent to solubilize other ingredients in the film, a disintegration promoter, a thickening agent/structuring agent/texture modifier, a hydroscopic agent/wetting agent to retain skin moisture, a partition coefficient modifier/absorption—or permeation—promoting substances to drive the hydroscopic agent into skin, a plasticizer/primary adhesive agent for flexibility and softness, a solvent used for hydrocolloids and retain latent moisture and keep final article flexible and other auxiliaries or additives. The skin-contacting layer is applied preferably directly to the skin surface and possesses properties suitable for use as the skin-contacting surface of the article. Such properties include rapid dissolution, sustained adhesion strength, semi-occlusiveness, and flexibility. The skin-contacting layer comprises the substituted resorcinol and other ingredients of the topical composition.

The outwardly-facing layer possesses proprieties suitable for use as a physical barrier, allowing it to remain clean of dust and dirt and debris while the article remains in place on the application site. Such proprieties include rapid dissolution, semi-occlusiveness, flexibility, and non-stickiness. The outwardly-facing layer comprises a hydrophilic film forming polymer, a disintegration promoter, an oil-in-water emulsifier, a wax to limit water migration from the skin-contacting layer to the topical layer, a plasticizer for flexibility and softness, a primary adhesive agent, a solvent used for hydrocolloids and to retain latent moisture and to keep the final article flexible, and other auxiliaries or additives.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the topical composition is contained in such a multilayer, water-removable film. The film may have a thickness, for example, of up to about 2 mm. The film is placed on the skin by adhering the second bottom surface to the skin. The film is then exposed to blue light having peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm using a light delivery device according to the invention. The film is maintained in place for a period of time, for example, at least 15 minutes, or at least 30 minutes, or at least 3 hours, or at least 6 hours, whereby the substituted resorcinol is capable of transferring to the skin application site. The film is then removed from the application site by application of water, whereupon the film dissolves.

In a further embodiment of the above, the bottom skin-contacting layer further comprises an effective amount of an emulsifier to enhance transport of the substituted resorcinol to the skin. In one embodiment, the emulsifier is a glycerine derivative. For instance, the emulsifier may be selected from the group consisting of glycerides and glycerol fatty acid esters.

Light Delivery Device

The light delivery device may comprise any source of blue light having a peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm, preferably 430 nm to 450 nm. It may take any form or configuration, provided it emits blue light having a peak wavelength between 400 nm to 460 nm. The blue light may be delivered continuously, pulsed, focused, diffuse, multi-wavelength, coherent, or non-coherent within the desired range, or single wavelength.

The blue light is preferably delivered at low intensity. In one embodiment, the power delivery of blue light is less than about 20 mW/cm². For example, the blue light may be delivered at an intensity of about 1 mW/cm² to about 20 mW/cm². In another embodiment, the intensity of blue light is below about 1 mW/cm².

The light source may be for example one or more LEDs. The LEDs may be for example individual LED bulbs or multi-LED strips.

The device may be in the form of a shaped mask, shroud, or hood for use on the face. Alternatively, the device may be shaped for use on the body, in particular the torso, such as a shirt, vest, or the like. The device may be in the form or a patch having a circular, oval, rectangular, or other shape. Such a patch may also have an irregular shape, or a shape designed to fit a particular part of the face or body.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a lamp platform and remote battery pack as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,328, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The lamp platform for radiant lamps such as LEDs are disposed in an assembly comprising a first wall to which the lamps are affixed thereto and a second wall, closer to the skin, spaced from the first wall wherein the lamps are recessed relative thereto. The second wall comprises a reflective surface facing towards the skin and a plurality of light apertures substantially aligned with the LEDs on the first wall for communicating lamp radiation from the lamps to a user. The lamps and associated circuitry are disposed between the first and second wall so that the reflective surface is relatively smooth and seamless towards the skin. The number of lamps is minimized, as is the circuitry therefor, and other assembly materials are purposefully selected for a relatively light weight assembly resulting in enhanced user comfort during therapy sessions. The walls have a malleable rigidity for flexible adjustability relative to the user. More particularly, the walls have a concave configuration relative to the face of the user which is adjustable relative to a rest position to be expandable relative to a size of the head of the user for a close fitting and secure engagement to the user during use. The device is mounted to the user with a frame comprising an eyeglass frame or goggles including lenses for shielding the user's eyes from lamp radiation. The adjustability of the embodiments is further enhanced by the walls being pivotable relative to the support frame and where the frames may include telescopic temple arms for selective adjustability relative to the head size of the user. The device is thus supported on the patient as a wearable hands-free mask or the like. A power source communicates energy to the lamps and comprises a remote battery pack and may also include a control processor for counting the number of uses by the device for the user and for indicating a need for device replacement after a predetermined number of uses.

The platform can be secured to the head by multiple means: eyeglass frames, straps, drawstring, harness, VELCRO, turn dial or snap and buttons. As the mask is secured it can be adjusted upward, for chin to forehead coverage. It can also be adjusted outward, for side-to-side coverage. In addition, once the platform has been bent/slid to cover the face area, the distance of the platform from the skin can be adjusted for achieving a desired light intensity relative to a user's skin surface. Thus, the light therapy can be maximized in up to three physical dimensions.

The subject adjustability may be implemented through “smart” processing and sensor systems for enhanced flexibility/adjustability in the form of adjustable energy output, adjustable wavelengths, priority zones, timers, and the like. The sensors of the sensor systems will enable the subject embodiments to have the ability to evaluate the skin of the face and body of a patient with sensors for color, acne, lesion density, and the like, and plan a smart treatment, utilizing more or less energy on the priority zones. The subject embodiments can be smart from the standpoint of skin type, age, overall severity of problems and have the ability to customize the treatment accordingly.

In another embodiment, the device comprises a therapeutic lamp platform for radiant lamps such as LED's disposed in a holdable spot applicator assembly, as described in US 2016/0045758, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The holdable spot applicator assembly includes a reflective surface facing towards a patient and a plurality of LED's for communicating lamp radiation from the lamps to a user. The lamps and the associated circuitry are housed within a holdable elongated structure.

In one embodiment, ultrasonic energy is also delivered to the skin, concurrently or in series with the blue light. The ultrasonic energy may be delivered by the light device or by a separate device.

In one embodiment, the light delivery device delivers both light and ultrasonic energy.

Anti-Microbial Activity

According to the invention, administration of a combination of a low amount of substituted resorcinol and blue light provides increased antimicrobial, in particular increased anti-C. acnes activity. It has been found that such combinations provide synergistic anti-C. acnes activity relative to the anti-C. acnes activity shown by either topical administration of a substituted resorcinol alone or exposure to blue light alone.

In one embodiment, the combination provides at least a 2.5 Log reduction of C. acnes over the activity of either treatment alone. In another embodiment, the combination provides at least a 3 Log reduction of C. acnes over the activity of either treatment alone.

Reduction of C. acnes is measured by the following in vitro method.

A standard C. acnes ATCC 6919 culture is grown in Reinforced Clostridial Media (RCM) (Remel, Lenexa, Kans.). A suspension of C. acnes is adjusted to OD600=1.0 using a Spectromax M5 spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices, San Jose, Calif.) to yield a concentration of 10⁸ cfu/ml. A 1:100 dilution of the standardized suspension is created to yield an inoculum concentration of 10⁶ cfu/ml. Therefore, 100μl of inoculum into 100 μl of test sample yields 5×10⁵ cfu/ml C. acnes within a 96-well experiment plate.

The culture is incubated in anaerobic chamber (<10 ppm O², 2.5-5% H², balance N² at 35±2° C.), in the dark, on an orbital shaker at 80 RPM. For test treatments including light, the prepared C. acnes culture is exposed for two, 60-minute light cycles with a 60-minute hold time between. Each light cycle is with blue light at wavelength 440 nm and 22±2 mW/cm² intensity. After treatments, the sample is incubated overnight (16±2 hours) in an anaerobic chamber. The sample is then recovered onto agar and incubated 5-7 days until clear colonies are visible. After growth, the remaining viable C. acnes colonies are counted; converted to cfu/ml and the log 10 reduction in number of cells is calculated (log 10 reduction=no light control sample−test sample).

The substituted resorcinol-containing composition and the blue light may be administered to the skin simultaneously or sequentially. When administered sequentially, the composition and blue light may be administered in either order. When administered with ultrasonic energy as well, the composition, blue light, and ultrasonic energy may be administered simultaneously or in any order.

In one embodiment of the invention, skin in need of treatment for acne is treated by topically applying to the skin a composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of 4-hexylresorcinol and exposing the skin to blue light having a wavelength of about 440 nm using a light delivery device.

In another embodiment of the invention, skin in need of treatment for rosacea is treated by topically applying to the skin a composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of 4-hexylresorcinol and exposing the skin to blue light having a wavelength of about 440 nm using a light delivery device.

In another embodiment of the invention, skin in need of treatment for eczema is treated by topically applying to the skin a composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of 4-hexylresorcinol and exposing the skin to blue light having a wavelength of about 440 nm using a light delivery device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, skin in need of treatment for psoriasis is treated by topically applying to the skin a composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of 4-hexylresorcinol and exposing the skin to blue light having a wavelength of about 440 nm using a light delivery device.

The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the invention.

Example 1

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4-hexyl resorcinol was determined to investigate its ability to inhibit the growth of C. acnes. All media and diluents were sterile. Aseptic techniques were used during study execution.

A C. acnes inoculum was prepared as set forth above.

A 0.1% (w/w) stock of 4-hexylresorcinol (Alfa Aesar, Tewksbury, Mass.) was made in RCM. Serial 1:2 dilutions were made in RCM across successive wells of a 96-well plate (sterile, u-bottom, untreated culture plate from Greiner Bio-one, Monroe, N.C.) to yield 10 test concentrations. After inoculation with equal volumes of C. acnes suspension, the test concentrations ranged from 0.05% through 9.77 E⁵% (v/v). Sterile RCM and 5×10⁵ cfu/ml C. acnes in RCM were set up as a negative growth control and a positive growth control, respectively. Sterile 0.1% (w/w) 4-hexylresorcinol in RCM was set up as a turbidity control.

Incubation and Results:

The 96-well plate was incubated anaerobically for 3 days at 35° C. The 96-well plates were assessed for growth (+) and non-growth (−) as shown in Table 1. The presence of visible turbidity within a challenged well was indicative of growth, while a clear well indicated no growth. The lowest concentration that inhibited C. acnes growth was determined to be the MIC. Negative growth control (not turbid) and positive growth control (turbid) results were as expected.

TABLE 1 4-n-4-hexylresorcinol Concentration (% v/v) Growth 5.0E⁻² − 2.50E⁻² − 1.25E⁻² − 6.25E⁻³ − 3.13E⁻³ − 1.56E⁻³ − 7.81E⁻⁴ + 3.91E⁻⁴ + 1.95E⁻⁴ + 9.77E⁻⁵ + A “+” indicates growth and a “−” indicates no growth

These results show that C. acnes was effectively inhibited by 4-hexylresorcinol at concentrations equal to and greater than 1.56 E³% (v/v).

Example 2

4-Hexyl resorcinol and blue light were tested in-vitro for inhibiting the growth of C. acnes.

A C. acnes inoculum was prepared as set forth above and in the same manner as Example 1. The solution was stored at 4° C. until time of use. The stock solution was added to RCM to produce a final concentration of 0.01% (v/v) and inoculated with 0.1 mL of the C. acnes suspension to yield 10⁶ cfu/ml. The prepared culture in RCM+ALA was incubated by shaking at 80 rpm, in the dark (foil covered), and in an anaerobic chamber at 35±2° C. for 24 hours.

A 0.02% (w/v) of n-4-hexylresorcinol (Alfa Aesar, Tewksbury, Mass.) was prepared in RCM. The sample stock solution was mixed as 1:10 (v/v) with 24-hour C. acnes culture in RCM+ALA. Organism control culture was diluted 1:10 (v/v) with RCM for equivalent organism concentration.

The in vitro evaluation was conducted as follows. The prepared C. acnes culture (grown with ALA) was mixed with the test sample as described above, added to 6-well plates and then exposed to two 60-minute, 440 nm blue light (22 mW) exposures, separated by one 60-minute rest period in the dark. Two samples were tested: 4-hexylresorcinol at 0.002% (v/v) and 24-hour C. acnes culture in RCM+ALA alone. A duplicate, 6-well plate was kept un-exposed to light as a control. All plates were incubated anaerobically, overnight, in the dark (foil covered), and in an anaerobic chamber at 35±2° C.

Recovery and Results:

After 24-hour incubation, samples were serial diluted and plated onto Reinforced Clostridial Agar (Remel, Lenexa, Kans.). Agar plates were incubated anaerobically at 35±2° C. for 5-7 days until bacterial colonies were well-established. Then, colonies were counted and colony forming units (CFU) per ml were calculated. The results are shown in Table 2. Statistically significant differences are defined by unshared letter groupings.

TABLE 2 Ave. Log Statistical TREATMENT Reduction ± S.D. Significance* (L) 1.83 ± 1.00 BC (0.002% HR) 1.00 ± 0.55 C (L + 0.002% HR) 4.84 ± 0.40 A (L) + (0.002% HR)^(‡) 2.83 ± 1.08 B L = light treatment only, HR = 4-hexylresorcinol treatment only, *If any of the groups do not have at least one letter in common, they are considered statistically different at the 95% confidence interval (Tukey method), ^(‡)Arithmetic sum

As shown in Table 2, the average log reduction in C. acnes by light only was 1.83, and the average log reduction in C. acnes by 4-hexylresorcinol was only 1.00. The expected, additive log reduction based on using the two treatments together was therefore 2.83. However, surprisingly, the simultaneous use of light plus 4-hexylresorcinol resulted in a 4.84 log reduction in C. acnes. This represents a 100-fold benefit from the synergistic combination. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of treating skin, comprising topically applying to skin having a condition influenced by C. acnes a topical composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of at least one substituted resorcinol and exposing said skin to blue light having peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm using a light delivery device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin condition is acne or rosacea.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin condition is acne.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the topical composition comprises about 0.002 to about 0.025 weight percent of the substituted resorcinol.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the substituted resorcinol is 4-hexylresorcinol.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light is below about 20 mW/cm².
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light is below about 2 mW/cm².
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising exposing the skin to ultrasonic energy.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the light delivery device delivers light and ultrasonic energy.
 10. A kit comprising: (a) a topical composition comprising about less than about 0.025 weight percent of at least one substituted resorcinol, and (b) a light delivery device that delivers blue light having a peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm.
 11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the topical composition comprises about 0.002 to about 0.025 weight percent of the substituted resorcinol.
 12. The kit of claim 10, wherein the substituted resorcinol is 4-hexylresorcinol.
 13. The kit of claim 10, wherein the intensity of the light delivered is below about 20 mW/cm².
 14. The kit of claim 10, wherein the intensity of the light delivered is below about 2 mW/cm².
 15. The kit of claim 10, wherein the light delivery device also delivers ultrasonic energy.
 16. The kit of claim 10, wherein the topical composition is contained in a film.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the film is a dissolvable film.
 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the film is a multilayered film readily removable upon application of water thereto.
 19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the film comprises a bottom skin-contacting layer comprising a glycerine derivative.
 20. A method of killing C. acnes, which comprises contacting C. acnes with a composition comprising less than about 0.025 weight percent of at least one substituted resorcinol and exposing said C. acnes to blue light having peak wavelength of 400 nm to 460 nm using a light delivery device. 